Google Music Store Could Be Launching This Fall

Will Google attempt to drink Apple's musical milkshake this fall? All signs point to... eventually. The folks over at CNET explain that from what well-placed sources in the music industry have been whispering of late, the company could have their digital music service up and running as early as this fall. The rumor comes after Google's recent sly remarks surrounding their desire to bring Android users a superior music experience for their devices, not to mention the discovery ealier this month of a potential Google Music logo.

How will they do it? No one knows, really, but there are a few indicators of what Google may have in store for us.

Earlier this year, Google ponied up the dough to purchase Simplify Media, a swell service that allowed both Mac and PC users to stream tunes from their Winamp or iTunes library to a multitude of devices. However, upon aquiring the company, Google put an end to Simplfy's services with an announcement back in March. The company's last day of streaming to their devout customer base will be on June 30th of this year.

Boo.

With Simplify shuffling off into the sunset, the stage will be set for Google to offer their own streaming music service should they choose to do so. Will they bypass a gigantic ball of red tape by continuing with Simplify's established business model, or will they wade hip-deep into the pursuit of a business model that will bring them into direct competition with Apple's iTunes?

No matter the outcome, we're liable to find out the answer sooner than later. With the rumors mounting that Apple may be preparing to offer consumers a cloud-based music service after their purchase of Lala ealier this year, Google will have to make their move as quickly as possible to avoid having their new service's publicity lost in the shadow of a Jobs-generated Reality Distortion Field.